Head Coach J.C. Deacon (left) and Associate Head Coach John Handrigan signed four players in the 2017-18 class.
Florida Men’s Golf Signs Four Newcomers
Wednesday, November 16, 2016 | Men's Golf
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Third-year head coach J.C. Deacon announced the signing of four golfers to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday. The class includes John Axelsen (Denmark), Robby Eisch (Tampa, Fla.), Manny Girona (Windermere, Fla.) and Chris Nido (Miami, Fla.). All four will join the University of Florida men's golf team beginning in the 2017-18 season.
"John Handrigan and I have worked very hard to put this special 2017 class together," Deacon said. "The amount of talent we have added is amazing, but more importantly the strength of character is off the charts. All four of these young men will play a big part in growing the culture of Gator Golf. We couldn't be happier."
John Axelsen | Tølløse, Denmark (Stenhus Gymnasium & HF)
Robby Eisch | Tampa, Fla. (H.B. Plant High School)
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"John Handrigan and I have worked very hard to put this special 2017 class together," Deacon said. "The amount of talent we have added is amazing, but more importantly the strength of character is off the charts. All four of these young men will play a big part in growing the culture of Gator Golf. We couldn't be happier."
John Axelsen | Tølløse, Denmark (Stenhus Gymnasium & HF)
- Had the distinct honor of being selected to two Junior Ryder Cup European teams, in 2014 and 2016 (In 2016, he opted instead to play for Denmark for the Eisenhower Trophy)
- Represented Denmark in the 2016 World Amateur Team Championships competing for the Eisenhower Trophy
- Won the Dansk Golf Union Elite Tour Men's Finale three times (2016, 2015, 2013)
- Was the only amateur to make the cut at the 2016 Made In Demark tournament on the European Tour, finishing 40th overall
- Won the 2014 Danish International Amateur Championship
- Finished second at the 2016 South of England Open Amateur Championship
- Holds five course records
- Ranked 43 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, 12 in the European Golf Association ranking, 2 in the European Golf rankings and 1 in Dansk Golf Union's men's rankings
- Won the 2014 English Boys u/16 McGregor Trophy
- Won back-to-back Zeagul Trophies in 2012 and 2013
- Won the 2014 Asserbo Trophy
- Awarded the 2015 Bella Center Award, given to the most talented golf player in Denmark
- Chose Florida because of the coaches and because it "felt like the right place from the beginning."
- Deacon on John Axelsen: "We are so excited to have John Axelsen join our team at the University of Florida. John is a world class player who will have an immediate impact on our program. John will bring a very high ranking (43rd WAGR) to Gainesville and more importantly he brings a level of maturity and leadership that will help our program for years to come. We are so lucky to have him!"
Robby Eisch | Tampa, Fla. (H.B. Plant High School)
- Won the 2015 Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy Junior at The Seagate presented by Sportlink
- Won the 2015 Florida Junior Tour at Viera East Country Club
- Won the 2014 Florida Junior Tour at Carrollwood Country Club
- Won the 2014 Florida Junior Tour at Sandridge Country Club
- Competed in the Web.com Tour's 2016 Club Colombia Championship
- Captained the Plant High School boy's golf team to the 2016 FHSAA Class 3A State Championship
- Holds the course record (63) at Feather Sound Country Club
- Chose Florida for the "great golf program," because it's a "top 50 academic university" and because his mother, brother and sister are alumni
- Deacon on Robby Eisch: "Robby bleeds orange and blue and comes from a great Gator family. We are really excited to add his talent to our roster."
- Won the 2016 FSGA State Championship
- Named to the AJGA Junior All Star team in 2015
- Won the 2015 JoS. A. Bank / David Leadbetter Championship
- Won the 2015 IMG Junior Tour Grand Cypress
- Won the 2015 Florida Junior Tour at Sandridge Country Club
- Finished first in the USGA Junior Amateur Qualifier in Sarasota
- Finished third at the 2015 QDOBA Tournament of Champions
- Won the 2012 PGA Golf Club Invitational
- Helped Windermere Prep to win the 2016 FHSAA Class 1A State Championship
- Chose Florida because it "Felt like home the moment I stepped on campus, love the coaches and academics!"
- Deacon on Manny Girona: "I can honestly say that I don't think I've ever recruited a young man who works harder than Manny. We are so lucky to have (him)."
- Won the 2016 AJGA Daniel Berger Junior Championship
- Won the 2016 Florida Junior Tour at Old Corkscrew Golf Club
- Finished second in the 2016 FSGA Boys' Junior Amateur Championship
- Finished 31st in the 2016 Western Amateur
- Helped Gulliver Prep to a 2016 District Championship
- Chose Florida because "I loved the facilities at Florida and the coaches. The University of Florida offers great academics. I really just fell in love with the place when I got there."
- Deacon on Chris Nido: "Chris was an enormous add this summer and will help us immediately. We are so lucky to have him."
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